Kotis' sense of the strange and bizarre extends to his choice of character names. All four of the people in "Pig Farm" — as well as the unseen folks outside — have names beginning with "T." That's no criticism, not from someone with my moniker — just an observation.
The pig farmer, Tom (Steve Rankin), is working himself into a lather over the impending visit from an Environmental Protection Agency official and hounds his surly hired hand Tim (Brad Fleischer) to get an accurate count of the swine. Meanwhile Tom's wife, Tina (Blake Lindsley), yearns for a child and may get her wish with or without hubby's help.
When the EPA man, Teddy (J.D. Cullum), arrives, the bacon really hits the fan as the oinkers run wild (offstage, of course) and serious charges loom. Between the law-breaking and the hanky-panky in the cellar, this pig farm's about to go to the dogs.
Director Martin Benson pushes the comedic pedal to the metal, and his actors respond with a vengeance, pumping up the volume and leaving all traces of credulity behind. They're understandably exhausted at the final fade out — as is the audience.
Rankin, who also doubles as fight director, turns in an explosive performance as the farmer, striving passionately to preserve his porkers and clinging to his tiny segment of the American dream. Lindsley, by contrast, is a ravenous creature hell-bent for sexual contact after what appears to be an overlong period of neglect.
